Facial Spotlight: Clear Complexion Facial
By The Pure + simple Team
It seems like the winter is finally coming to an end in Toronto. This week we’ve been greeted with warmer weather, longer days, and the most beautiful blue skies. But while we can’t wait to spend more time in the sun, we also want to give our skin a good spring detox as the stagnant winter energy, stress, and comfort food we’ve indulged in over the past few months has wreaked havoc on our skin, triggering breakouts and an uneven skin tone. It’s time for a treatment and we think we have just the one for us: the Clear Complexion Facial. We’ve enlisted one of our Yorkville estheticians and skincare experts Samantha to explain the benefits of this multi-step service to us, and we think it’s the perfect facial to refresh our winter-worn skin!
What is a Clear Complexion Facial?
As one of our high-tech service offerings, our Clear Complexion Facial features all the steps of a traditional European Facial – cleansing, steaming, extractions, massage, and mask time – while incorporating a combination of intense natural peels and an LED light treatment to help reduce congestion and revive dull skin.
Who would benefit from a Clear Complexion Facial?
“Clients with congestion, acne, or problematic skin are the best people for the Clear Complexion Facial,” Samantha says. “That being said, clients with scarring, uneven skin tone, and sun damage will also benefit from the service.” Samantha explains that this is because the steps of the Clear Complexion Facial work to rejuvenate the skin so that it “looks brighter, less congested, and softer to the touch.”
What are the types of exfoliation used in this facial?
To help clear up congested or problematic skin, clients have a choice between a Sugar Cane Peel or a pass of Salt Microdermabrasion as their exfoliating step. But don’t worry – you won’t be making the choice blindly, Samantha reassures us. “We as the estheticians will discuss the exfoliation options with our clients and explain which one we think would be best for their skin.”
What is the difference between a Sugar Cane Peel and the Salt Microdermabrasion?
“If the client has cystic acne or very thin/red skin, the Sugar Cane Peel is usually a better option,” Samantha tells us. “You do not want to go over cystic acne with something abrasive like the Microdermabrasion, as it could tear them open. The same thing goes with open, inflamed acne. The peel is a little bit easier to control with sensitive skin, as you can mix a bit of Calming Cucumber Mask with it if need be in sensitive areas.
In most cases though, I think that the Salt Microdermabrasion is a more effective option. It promotes good stimulation and removes a lot of dead skin cells. The physical abrasion gives better results for skin types with deep congestion or a lot of underlying blackheads and bumps.”
What about the LED Treatment? Why is it included in the facial?
“The LED lights are generally on for 20 minutes during the service. Each colour light has different benefits, and the flashing allows them to penetrate deeper into the skin. Estheticians will choose the appropriate colours and duration to best address the needs of their individual clients.” Samantha explains what each colour does:
Blue light – “In most cases, we use this colour a lot during the Clear Complexion Facial. It helps to kill bacteria and balance oil production, so it is especially good for breakouts and congestion.”
Green light – “The green light reduces inflammation and redness in the skin, so this is also important to do during the service, as it will calm down inflamed breakouts and aid in healing the skin after the extractions.”
Red light – “The red light is more of an anti-aging light that stimulates Collagen and Elastin production in the skin.”
Yellow light – “This is great for reducing scarring and pigmentation.”
What products would go well with this facial to keep skin in great shape?
“This is kind of a hard question to answer, as it really depends on the client. Hydration is definitely important, and in most cases you want something to help with acne. The Black Mud line from Martina Gebhardt is often a good option for most people who come in for the Clear Complexion Facial, as is the Purifying French Clay Mask for spot treatments,” Samantha recommends. “If a client is looking to clear up scarring or pigmentation or has a thicker congestion, I will often recommend the Lactic Acid Original or Lactic Acid Plus for at home care to gently peel the skin as needed in between facial services. But again, it depends on the client and their type of acne or specific needs.”
Are there any tips on post-facial care that clients should know about?
“With any peels or intense exfoliation you will want to wear sunscreen for the next week or so, and since the top layers of skin have been exfoliated, your skin will drink up more moisture, so a lot of extra hydration is a good idea.”
So there you have it! We hope you learned as much as we did from Samantha’s answers. As always, it’s important to note that everyone’s skin is different, so it’s best to consult with an expert. Click here to contact us, or call one of our locations to book an appointment today!
